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TV star and comedian Paul O’Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said.

In a statement, he said the star, known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening.

The Tranmere-born presenter hosted a number of game shows, including Blankety Blank in the late 90s under the guise of Savage.

His career spanned more than 30 years, during which he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and For The Love Of Dogs.

He also featured on TV shows such as Dr Who and Holby City.

File photo dated 09/11/98 of Paul O'Grady, as Lily Savage, during a photocall on Hyde Park, London, where it was announced that he was to play Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie on stage in London. TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said. The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Issue date
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He started off as Lily Savage, which became an integral part of his career
EDITORIAL USE ONLY File photo dated 07/05/13 of Paul O'Grady with rescue dogs Razor a German Shepherd, Moose a Rottweiler and Dodger a Terrier at London's Battersea Park.
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Paul O’Grady with rescue dogs at London’s Battersea Park

Mr Portasio, who married O’Grady in 2017, said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.

“I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”

paul o'grady and partner
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Paul O’Grady and Andre Portasio married in 2017
File photo dated 17/03/15 of Queen Elizabeth II looking at a Corgi as Paul O'Grady looks on during a visit to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London.
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Queen Elizabeth II with Paul O’Grady at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London in 2015

In 2012, O’Grady spoke about his health after having had two heart attacks.

He said following the publication of his third book: “The worst thing you can do is to sit and fret.

“I take tablets and have check-ups every eight months when they put me on the treadmill. I say to them, ‘Heart attack or not, I’m hopeless on treadmills!'”

Both his parents died young from heart problems – his father when O’Grady was in his late teens and his mother, whose maiden name was Savage, when he was 33.

The name is believed to have inspired his famous drag alter ego who helped propel him to mainstream success.

File photo dated 16/10/08 of Paul O'Grady being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), at Buckingham Palace, central London.
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Paul O’Grady being handed an OBE by then Prince Charles in 2008

‘We have lost a unique talent’

Long-time friend and producer, Malcolm Prince, offered his tribute to O’Grady having visited him at his home only yesterday.

Mr Prince said: “I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up. Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing smiling and full of life. He was looking forward to so many new projects.

“And now he’s gone I can’t believe it. We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives.

“My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends. Oh how I’ll miss him.”

‘He made millions laugh’: Tributes pour in for O’Grady

File photo dated 21/12/04 of Paul O'Grady performing as Lily Savage, as the Wicked Queen, in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs -at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said. The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Issue date: Wednesday March 29, 2023.

The rise of Paul O’Grady

He began his career as Lily Savage in the 1970s and the act later gained traction at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern cabaret club, where he was a prominent advocate of LGBT issues.

The Savage persona propelled him to TV and radio whilst he remained in character, and he took over as The Big Breakfast presenter in 1995.

Blankety Blank, which ran until 2002, would showcase his dry humour.

Comedy chat shows would follow with The Paul O’Grady Show in 2004, and Paul O’Grady Live in 2010, which featured guests like Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones and Michael McIntyre.

The presenter was honoured with an MBE for services to entertainment in 2008, adding to a list of achievements including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.

Last year O’Grady commemorated 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home with the Queen Consort in a special episode of For The Love Of Dogs.

File photo dated 04/11/11 of Paul O'Grady standing next to a former costume of his alter ego Lily Savage at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, where it was appearing as part of the Savage Style: Costumes from Lily's Wardrobe exhibition.
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Paul O’Grady standing next to a former costume of his alter ego Lily Savage at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery in 2011

Further tributes have poured in for the much-loved comedian.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “Paul wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality but a much-admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights.”

ITV’s Lorraine Kelly described him as “a really special man” and “funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise”.

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From Shanghai to Scunthorpe – what’s China’s influence on UK industry?

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From Shanghai to Scunthorpe - what's China's influence on UK industry?

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From Shanghai to Scunthorpe – what’s China’s influence on UK industry?

British Steel’s Scunthorpe steelworks are now effectively under government control after the business secretary said Chinese owner Jingye had decided to stop buying enough raw materials to keep the blast furnaces going.

Jonathan Reynolds said the government took the action as steel “is vital for our national security”. But with Chinese companies owning hundreds of billions of pounds worth of infrastructure assets throughout the UK, do they have too much influence on the UK’s critical industries?

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to business correspondent Paul Kelso about nationalising British Steel, Chinese investment in the UK economy and whether the government can ultimately keep the lights in the furnaces on.

The Sky News Daily has approached Jingye for comment.

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Birmingham bin strike to continue after refuse workers reject council’s offer

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Birmingham bin strike to continue after refuse workers reject council's offer

A long-running strike by bin workers, that has left rubbish piling up on Birmingham’s streets, will continue after union members “overwhelmingly rejected” the city council’s offer in a fresh ballot.

The action by members of Unite, which began on 11 March as part of a dispute over pay, has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish go uncollected and warnings of a public health emergency.

Hundreds of workers have been on all-out strike for a month, and residents have complained about “rats as big as cats”.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visited Birmingham last week and called on the union to accept a “significantly improved” deal for workers.

Rubbish bags lie on the street, as the strike action by Birmingham bin workers represented by the Unite union enters its fifth week in Birmingham, Britain, April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Pic: Reuters

However, the union said hundreds of its members had rejected the “totally inadequate” offer.

The offer, if it had been accepted, would have included “substantial pay cuts for workers” and “did not address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers”, according to Unite.

The latest ballot comes after previous talks failed.

Unite has been campaigning against plans to cut the post of waste recycling and collection officer (WRCO) from the city’s refuse and recycling service.

The union claims it will lead to around 150 of its members having their pay cut by up to £8,000 a year.

But the council has disputed the figures, saying only 17 workers will be affected, losing far less than Unite is claiming.

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‘The bin strike has been good for us’

‘Rejection of the offer is no surprise’

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision.”

Unite national lead Onay Kasab told Sky News: “The proposal from the employers was completely and utterly inadequate. It still included a pay cut. It included a sharp cliff-edge drop in pay for our members.

“Unfortunately, the biggest thing about the proposal was what it didn’t include. It didn’t include the details of how and when the drivers are going to have their pay cut and what’s going to be done to mitigate that. It didn’t include issues around what happens if people finish their training and there are no vacancies for them.

“But what it did show up was this so-called figure of only 17 people being impacted is complete and utter nonsense. The proposal itself, that we’ve got in paper, impacts more than 17 people.”

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Wendy Morton, a Conservative MP whose Aldridge-Brownhills constituency is in the Walsall borough, said rats in Birmingham – labelled Squeaky Blinders – “must be dancing in the streets”.

She said: “This really shows yet again Labour-led Birmingham Council and this Labour government are failing residents and our region.

“They need to get a grip, stop blaming others, and face the unions – their paymasters. The Squeaky Blinders must be dancing in the streets.”

Rats have been seen scurrying around mounting piles of rubbish, food waste and bin bags outside homes, shops and restaurants in the city since the strike began.

‘It has been really bad’

A Birmingham resident whose car was wrecked by rats in a street where piles of rubbish were “as tall as” him is “disappointed” bin workers have rejected the council’s offer.

Adam Yasin, 33, from the Balsall Heath area of the city, said: “It’s more to do with hygiene on the streets. I take my son to the nursery and I use a specific street and honestly it was blocked. It’s just annoying, and when the kids are there they like to touch things as well.”

He said his Mercedes was “completely written off” just weeks ago because rats had chewed through wires in the engine.

He said: “It has been really bad, especially where I live, there are a lot of restaurants there. I swear there was a pile (of rubbish) as tall as me, I kid you not.

“Today they collected the rubbish that was on the floor, so the bags that were on the floor, but the bins are still left.”

Read more:
Hunting the rats running riot
Pest controllers ‘feel like fourth emergency service’

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Rayner urges Unite to suspend bin strikes

What has the council said?

Birmingham City Council said: “It is incredibly disappointing, that despite several weeks of extensive negotiations, Unite have rejected a second offer of settlement. However, our door remains open.

“The council must deliver improved waste services for our citizens – who simply deserve better.

“We must also guard against future equal pay claims, and while we have sought throughout the negotiations to protect pay for individuals, Unite’s proposals focus solely on retaining a role that does not exist in other councils and represents an equal pay risk for Birmingham.

“We have made a fair and reasonable offer and every employee affected by the removal of the WRCO role could take an equivalent graded role in the council, LGV Driver training or voluntary redundancy packages.”

It comes as the government called in military planners to help tackle the mounting piles of rubbish in Birmingham.

Amid an “ongoing public health risk” posed by the mounds of waste, the planners have been assigned to provide logistical support for a short period. The move has not involved soldiers being deployed to collect rubbish.

‘Army logistics deployed’

Ms Rayner insisted there were “no boots on the ground”.

She said “we’ve deployed a couple of army logistics to help with the logistical operation of clearing up the rubbish”.

“We’ve got over two-thirds of the rubbish cleared off the streets now, this week we’ll start to see cleaning up the pavements and streets as well as the clearance of all of that rubbish, I’m very pleased about that. The kids are off school, obviously it’s Easter holidays, we want that rubbish cleared.”

Waste collections have been disrupted since January, before the all-out strike started last month.

Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on 31 March in response to public health concerns.

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Father who died in Worksop house explosion is named by police

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Father who died in Worksop house explosion is named by police

A man who died after an explosion at a house has been named by police

David Howard, 53, died at the scene of the blast that led to the terraced property being partially destroyed in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Mr Howard’s daughters have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Emergency services were called to John Street, Worksop, on Saturday evening and a major incident was declared.

Police previously said the body of a man in his 50s had been recovered from under the debris.

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Residents react to explosion

Two neighbouring properties partially collapsed and eight others, as well as 20 cars, were damaged by debris, the force said.

About 50 people from 35 properties were evacuated and were being supported by Bassetlaw District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Some of the displaced spent Saturday night in the Crown Place Community Centre, which was offered as an emergency shelter.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service reported the incident as a suspected gas explosion, while police said they were continuing to investigate the cause of the blast.

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Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow said: “Our thoughts are very much with David’s loved ones at this devastating time.

“He has lost his life in truly tragic circumstances, and we would ask everyone to respect his daughters’ privacy.

“Our investigation to establish exactly what happened is ongoing and we are working hard to find the answers his family needs.”

People have been asked to avoid speculating over the incident “both online and in the community”, the senior officer added.

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